How about we say to these countries “look we have a crisis on our hands, what say for one year only we cut your aid by 30-40%.”

Putting it at a grass-roots level. A family gives $2,000 to charity every year but out of the blue the breadwinner loses his job. Should he sell the family car in order to keep up the charity payment? I think not.

The old idiom charity begins at home is most appropriate. Your family and your country deserve your support before others.

All things being equal, after twelve months our generous foreign aid will then return to established levels.

That money redirected to Australians in need removes the burden on taxpayers who will be feeling the flow on effect of the flood crisis for a long time with increased food, fuel and building costs.

Australia will be helping the economies of many of the countries we support by giving thousands of their trades people jobs to help in the massive re-building program.

The quicker Australia can recover from the crisis the quicker our economy will grow leaving more money for overseas aid.

In the longer term, everyone’s a winner.

Problem is all our politicians are looking towards the next election not what’s best for Australia.